Week of Nov 22-24
Another short week. This time we really only 2 days of instructions and one day of fun. I am really looking forward to the long weekend. I can’t believe we are almost into December!
Kindergarten: The students used the tools in Kid Pix they already know to draw pictures of Thanksgiving dinners. We made sure to include lots of colors and several items. We talked about using the correct colors for the correct food items. I don’t know about you, but purple turkey doesn’t sound very appealing to me.
1st Grade: ONLY 1B – We talked about stamps in Kid Pix. The students arranged stamps on the screen following a pattern. We talked about different stamps sets and finding those set in the Goodies menu. There was a little confusion regarding loading a set, but I think they felt comfortable with it by the end of the period. We talked about using the option, shift, and shift+option keys to change the size of the stamp. Lastly, the students worked on slow precise movements with the mouse when aligning stamps.
2nd Grade: 2A – We used Kid Pix to make and save 2 pictures related to thanksgiving. The creativity the kids showed was amazing.
2B – Since there were so few students, we spent some free time on Internet. The students played games on disneychannel.com.
3rd Grade: The students made and saved three pictures relating to Thanksgiving. They were told to use any tool they wanted and just have fun. I am interested to see what we got.
4th Grade: No class.
Homework: Typing logs are due.
5th Grade: No class.
Homework: Typing logs are due.
6th Grade: No class.
Homework: Typing logs are due before Dec 1.
7th Grade: No class.
Homework: Typing logs are due before Dec 1.
8th Grade: No class.
Homework: Typing logs are due before Dec 1.
If you have any questions, feel free to email me at matt@wornickjds.org
Have a great weekend!!!
===================================
Matt Harris
Director of Technology
Ronald C. Wornick Jewish Day School
Week of Nov 15-19
It has been a busy week. A busy week. We have a new trouble ticket system at school, the Middle Schoolers are doing well with their laptops, and the 5th graders finished up their digital photo albums. A good week all in all. We are still working on ergonomics in every class and the kids are noticeable improved.
Kindergarten: We talked about the line tool this week. Students learned how the line tool is different from the pencil tool in that it creates straight lines instead of pencil like drawing. They created a grid with five horizontal and five vertical lines, then used the pencil tool to fill in grid with various colors. This was quite a challenge for some of them.
1st Grade: We talked about the line tool and its options. The students learned how to use the line tool, change it thickness, and force the lines to be vertical, horizontal, or diagonal. The students divided the screen into four equal quadrants, then drew polygons with increasing number sides, starting with 3. As an added challenge, students were asked to fill in the shapes and add write the number of sides next to the polygon.
2nd Grade: The students were introduced to the Internet. We talked about the needs for a connection, whether it be through the phone line, wired, or wireless. We talked about our wireless network and how to reconnect in case the automatic connection is lost. We worked with Internet Explorer and briefly described the address bar and the function of addresses on the Internet. Students visited weather.com and explored the complexities of information organization on the Internet. We also talked about the dangers of clicking on ads and no visiting sites that are unknown to us.
3rd Grade: We finished up the last three tools in Kid Pix. We talked about the truck and how it moves selected parts of the image to other parts of the screen. We also talked about the selection tool element of the truck tool. We also talked about the color dropper. Lastly, we discussed the uh-oh tool as an introduction to the undo function. For the activity, the students created American Flags with an emphasis on accuracy.
4th Grade: This was a repeat of two weeks ago: Students were given the opportunity to do research on the Internet for Mrs.Seligman’s secular curriculum. I made a quick and dirty web page that contained useful links provided by Mrs. Seligman regarding Native Americans. If you would like to view this page visit: http://www.wornickjds.org/grade4/native.html
5th Grade: With the iPhoto projects done, we just had to view them. So, we talked about connecting to the file server and the students uploaded copies of their finished products to the server. I used the projector to show the finished products to the class.
Note: The finished product should be available online next week. On top of that, if you would like a copy of the your student’s Quicktime movie, please send a blank CDR.
6th Grade: We talked about Word Processing. The students then typed two paragraphs into AppleWorks and we manipulated it. We talked about text alignment, line spacing, bold/italic/underline, proper spacing, font size choices, and indentation.
Homework: Type a three paragraph essay with name, date, class, and a title.
7th Grade: We discussed and defined Spreadsheets. We covered columns vs. rows, cells, entering data, sorting data, functions, customizing column/row width/height, and changes to font size, color, shape, etc.
Homework: Create a spreadsheet with Names, Ages, City of Birth, and Favorite color for 5 family members. If you don’t have 5, ask friends or neighbors. Also include, the average, sum, and maximum values for the age category.
8th Grade: We discussed and defined Spreadsheets. We covered columns vs. rows, cells, entering data, sorting data, functions, customizing column/row width/height, and changes to font size, color, shape, etc. We also touched up image searches on google by going to images.google.com. We discussed displaying results by size and saving images.
Homework: Create a spreadsheet with Names, Ages, City of Birth, and Favorite color for 5 family members. If you don’t have 5, ask friends or neighbors. Also include, the average, sum, and maximum values for the age category.
If you have any questions, feel free to email me at matt@wornickjds.org
Have a great weekend!!!
===================================
Matt Harris
Director of Technology
Ronald C. Wornick Jewish Day School
Week of Nov 8-10
We had a short week this week because of Parent/Teacher Conferences, but it was a full week. I am becoming very impressed with the aptitude and skill our students are beginning to show when it comes to computing. The enthusiasm, coupled with that aptitude and skill, is providing for a very effective and productive technical education for our students.
Kindergarten: The students were given free time on Kid Pix to start. We reviewed ergonomics and hand position on the mouse. The students reviewed the eraser tool and were introduced to the Color Picker. The students drew leaves of various colors on the screen.
1st Grade: We covered the square tool and circle tool in Kid Pix. Students used the square tool to fill the screen with “bricks” with various fills. Then, with the Circle tool, the students created a bullseye with perfect circles different fills.
2nd Grade: We covered the blender, square tool, and circle tool in Kid Pix. Students used the square tool to fill the screen with “bricks” with various fills. The kids used the blender to mess up their drawings and turn the screen into mush. They really seemed to like this. Then, with the Circle tool, the students created a bullseye with perfect circles different fills.
3rd Grade: We covered stamps and the text tool. With the letter stamps, the students created a spiral of letters (in alphabetical order) with varying colors of letters. Then, the students worked with stamps and stamp sets to fill their screen. They then used the stamp editor to create their own stamp. Lastly, students used the text tool to create a title with bold lettering and then wrote a paragraph.
4th Grade: No Class
5th Grade: 5A: The students ripped MP3s from their CDs using iTunes. They then linked the music to their digital photo albums and exported Quicktime movies of the final project. Next class meeting, we will talk about saving our work on the file server and getting a copy home. We also began talking about ergonomics.
5B: No Class
6th Grade: We discussed backing up data and its importance. We discussed the following modes for backing up data: Local copying on the hard drive, emailing to another computer or email account, burning CDs, using USB Flashdrives, and connecting to the file server. We discussed the pros and cons of using CDs vs. Flash Drives. The students burned a CD on their computer as practice. The students were also shown how to access the school’s file server for additional backup space.
NOTE: Students should remember that they are responsible for their own data and should backup AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK!!!!
Homework: Send me an email with the procedures for burning a CD and connecting to the file-server. Due November 10, by midnight.
7th Grade: We discussed backing up data and its importance. We discussed the following modes for backing up data: Local copying on the hard drive, emailing to another computer or email account, burning CDs, using USB Flashdrives, and connecting to the file server. We discussed the pros and cons of using CDs vs. Flash Drives. The students burned a CD on their computer as practice. The students were also shown how to access the school’s file server for additional backup space.
NOTE: Students should remember that they are responsible for their own data and should backup AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK!!!!
Homework: Send me an email with the procedures for burning a CD and connecting to the file-server. Due November 10, by midnight.
8th Grade: We discussed backing up data and its importance. We discussed the following modes for backing up data: Local copying on the hard drive, emailing to another computer or email account, burning CDs, using USB Flashdrives, and connecting to the file server. We discussed the pros and cons of using CDs vs. Flash Drives. The students burned a CD on their computer as practice. The students were also shown how to access the school’s file server for additional backup space.
NOTE: Students should remember that they are responsible for their own data and should backup AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK!!!!
Homework: Send me an email with the procedures for burning a CD and connecting to the file-server. Due November 10, by midnight.
If you have any questions, feel free to email me at matt@wornickjds.org
Have a great weekend!!!
===================================
Matt Harris
Director of Technology
Ronald C. Wornick Jewish Day School
Blogger issues
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Matt Harris
Director of Technology
Ronald C. Wornick Jewish Day School
Week of Nov 1-5
What a fun week. We talked about typing and drawing and erasing...you just can’t have more fun than that. On top of all of it, my birthday was Thursday, November 4. Thanks to everyone who wished me a happy birthday or sang to me (the hebrew was fun). I am a pretty lucky guy to have such nice people in my life.
Kindergarten: We started using the eraser tool. We talk about erasing parts of the screen, the whole screen, and using the mystery eraser. We covered ergonomics again and spoke about mouse position on the desk.
1st Grade: We reviewed the color picker and spoke about the eraser tool. Students created an American flag using only the pencil tool. Then we went through the various elements of the eraser tool, We talked about volume on the computer and the kids played with the erasers. We also began talking about ergonomics.
2nd Grade: We began talking about ergonomics. This will be a point throughout the year. I am hoping to make it a good habit with all grades. We talked about he line tool in Kid Pix and its options, including using the Shift key to make the line appear at a common angle. The kids then made a compass rose with the line tool.
3rd Grade: We began talking about ergonomics. The students used their knowledge of the line tool to divide their screen into four equal sections. Then we talked about the fill tool/paint bucket and the students put a different color in each of the squares. We used the paint brush to create trees, suns, worms, bricks, and bugs in each of the four squares. Then we used the blender tool mix up the colors on the screen. Afterwards, we talked about the volume control.
4th Grade: Students were given the opportunity to do research on the Internet for Mrs.Seligman’s secular curriculum. I made a quick and dirty web page that contained useful links provided by Mrs. Seligman regarding Native Americans. If you would like to view this page visit: http://www.wornickjds.org/grade4/native.html We also began talking about ergonomics.
5th Grade: 5A: Ripped MP3 from their CDs. We didn’t get further, but should catch up next week. 5B:The students ripped MP3s from their CDs using iTunes. They then linked the music to their digital photo albums and exported Quicktime movies of the final project. Next class meeting, we will talk about saving our work on the file server and getting a copy home. We also began talking about ergonomics.
6th Grade: The students learned to type. Well, we talked about proper finger position and usage. The students made a colored paper keyboard that they can use as reference. We talked about the typing homework and typing log procedures. Note: Typing logs are due before the first class of the month. We also began talking about ergonomics.
7th Grade: The students learned to type. Well, we talked about proper finger position and usage. The students made a colored paper keyboard that they can use as reference. We talked about the typing homework and typing log procedures. Note: Typing logs are due before the first class of the month. We also began talking about ergonomics.
8th Grade: The students learned to type. Well, we talked about proper finger position and usage. The students made a colored paper keyboard that they can use as reference. We talked about the typing homework and typing log procedures. Note: Typing logs are due before the first class of the month. We also began talking about ergonomics.
If you have any questions, feel free to email me at matt@wornickjds.org
Have a great weekend!!!
===================================
Matt Harris
Director of Technology
Ronald C. Wornick Jewish Day School
